CO129-332 - Public Offices & Others - 1905 — Page 36

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in this Office. The Board is familiar with the work

of the Society, but I may be permitted to remind you 35

that nearly all classed vessels have been built in accordance with plans approved by the Committee, and under the inspection of the Surveyors to Lloyd's Register. In the very few instances in which thie is not the case, the vessels have received their classes only after it has been ascertained upon tho rough examination by the Surveyors that the vessels are equal in all respecte to the standard set up by this Society&s Rules. Further,

no vessel is allowed to retain her classification unless she is submitted to periodical surveys ae prescribed in the Rules, and is reported to the Committee, after such

surveys, to be in good and efficient condition. The

Society's Regulations for these surveys, as the 30 ard

is well aware, are stringent, and extend not only to the hulls but to the machinery and equipment of vessels. It

is a matter of com on knowledge that the classification

of Lloyd's Regieter is accepted throughout the shipping

community of the world a proof of a very high standard

of efficiency, and as the basis for transactiong

as contracte for the building, purchase, and

such

chartering

of vessels, marine insurance policies, ěc. in which

large financial interests are at stake.

In this connexion it may not be out of place to

bring under the notice of the Indian and Colonial

Authorities a few particulare regarding the constitution

and working of Lloyd's Regieter. The Soci ty was not

established, and is not carried on, for any purpose of

pecuniary profit. It took its rise seventy years ago

from the urgent need of the shipping community for an

impartial and competent Institution to undertake the sur-

vey and classification of vessels, and it has still no

other raison d'etre than public convenience. The funds

*eas.

Var

isc.

belong